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Hiking trails & Routes

Ecuador

Imbabura

Quiroga

Cuicocha Lake Trail – View of Lake Cuicocha loop from Parqueadero Laguna Cuicocha

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Ecuador

Imbabura

Quiroga

Cuicocha Lake Trail – View of Lake Cuicocha loop from Parqueadero Laguna Cuicocha

Moderate

4.9

(109)

640

hikers

Cuicocha Lake Trail – View of Lake Cuicocha loop from Parqueadero Laguna Cuicocha

04:03

12.3km

540m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: June 18, 2026

Tips

Temporary access restrictions

Includes segments with temporary access restrictions.

After 4.19 km for 7.91 km

Open: • 8:00 AM-4:00 PM (otherwise closed)

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

269 m

Cuicocha Lake Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

On this section of the hiking trail that runs all the way around Laguna Cuicocha, after climbing numerous steps and through lush Andean flora, you reach a ridge path with fantastic views of the lagoon and the Otavalo plain

Translated by Google •

Tip by

3.54 km

El Arrayan

Viewpoint

4.51 km

View of Lake Cuicocha

Highlight • Viewpoint

5.36 km

Mirador

Viewpoint

7.54 km

Wildflower Path in Reserva Ecológica Cotacachi-Cayapas

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Being in this place and having the feeling of turning around and knowing everything you walked, is beautiful. A different view of everything and the most refreshing and delicious breeze there is.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

12.1 km

Cuicocha Lagoon Loop Trailhead

Highlight • Trail

Circular hike around the "guinea pig lagoon". The easiest way to get there from Otavalo is by bus to Quiroga and then by taxi from the parque central there ($5)

Translated by Google •

Tip by

12.3 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

11.8 km

224 m

105 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

11.1 km

754 m

155 m

105 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (3,450 m)

Lowest point (3,060 m)

Weather

Today

Sunday 12 July

18°C

7°C

88 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 4.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

December 25, 2022,🇪🇨 Runde um die Laguna Cuicocha

Technically easy trail with great views and lots of different plants. Perfect acclimatization tour for the following altitudes.

You can find out more information and impressions in our free travel film "Eisige Vulkane - Die Bergwelt Ecuadors": glueckskinder-reisen.de/2023/07/29/eisige-vulkane-die-bergwelt-ecuadors

Showing Translation

April 8, 2023,Vuelta Laguna Cuicocha

Return to the Cuicocha Lagoon

The state of the access road, with some care there are potholes.

For the location you must indicate in the GPS, Sendero de la Laguna Cuicocha, from the Cotacachi road take a right.

The Lagoon is inside the Cotacachi - Cayapas Reserve.

The path is marked, it is of a medium level of demand.

Showing Translation